Statewide Preservation Planning

Iowa’s Comprehensive Statewide Historic Preservation Plan is intended to embrace local, regional and state perspectives. The most recent Statewide Historic Preservation Plan for 2013-2022 presents a thorough history of preservation in Iowa, a review of the accomplishments under the previous plan Resources Within Reach and a discussion of the state of preservation today. At the heart of the plan are the state’s goals for the years 2013 to 2022, each of which is accompanied by strategies or action steps. These goals are:

Affirm preservation as a fundamental value of environmental stewardship. Promote prosperity and preservation as closely associated attributes of vibrant communities and the natural environment.

Expand and deepen the connection to and appreciation of historic resources.

Educate and recruit leadership at all levels to expand Iowa’s preservation work.

Quantify and communicate the economic value of historic preservation in Iowa.

The plan was developed by a team of more than twenty individuals representing the interests of various agencies and organizations with a stake in historic preservation work and who will contribute to accomplishing these goals in partnership with the State Historic Preservation Office of Iowa, State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.